# Dutch Coalition Parties Adopt 'Open Marriage' Strategy for Tax Legislation D66, VVD, and CDA agree to seek independent majorities for financial plans. - **Source:** [NOS – Politiek](https://nos.nl/nieuws/politiek) - **Published:** 2026-11-04 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/0ffc8e51-517f-4a4b-a5a6-703008d49ddb ## Coalition Experimental Governance The Dutch minority cabinet is testing a new political arrangement known as an open marriage. Coalition partners D66, VVD, and CDA have agreed to abandon strict voting discipline on tax plans. They are now permitted to seek independent majorities with opposition parties, even if those votes contradict the positions of their coalition partners. ## Internal Friction Over Taxes CDA leader Henri Bontenbal has publicly criticized the coalition's inability to secure a stable majority in the Senate. He specifically targeted the VVD for refusing to increase taxes on the wealthy. Bontenbal labeled the current cabinet strategy as casino politics, arguing that the lack of a unified financial plan creates unnecessary legislative chaos. ## The Box 3 Funding Gap The Ministry of Finance faces intense scrutiny regarding the restructuring of Box 3, the tax on wealth. The project carries a cost of over 17 billion euros, yet the government has failed to provide a clear funding mechanism. Opposition members, including ChristenUnie, have harshly criticized this oversight as a significant failure in fiscal management. ## First Legislative Test A proposal from Pro and Volt to increase taxes on the wealthy serves as the first major test for this new coalition dynamic. The CDA is reportedly engaged in preliminary discussions regarding this plan. Observers are watching closely to see if the VVD will block these measures as they have done in previous negotiations. ## Shifting Parliamentary Alliances The new freedom allows parties to explore alternative majorities across the political spectrum. While the coalition remains intact, the requirement for consensus on every financial detail has been removed. However, most legislative paths, whether leaning left or right, still require the participation of the CDA to reach the necessary threshold for approval. ## Discontent Among Stakeholders Government efforts to appease parties like the BBB through temporary measures have largely failed. The decision to delay the VAT increase on floriculture by only three months has left stakeholders disappointed. This dissatisfaction highlights the difficulty the cabinet faces in balancing fiscal requirements with the need for broader political support in parliament. ## Rules of Engagement Despite the newfound flexibility, the coalition has established specific ground rules to maintain stability. Partners must avoid surprising each other and must honor existing agreements within the coalition accord. The flexibility applies strictly to areas where no prior consensus was reached, aiming to prevent total collapse while navigating the current legislative deadlock. ## Political Uncertainty Ahead The success of this experiment remains highly uncertain within the halls of The Hague. By allowing parties to act independently, the cabinet hopes to force progress where negotiations were previously stuck. The coming days will determine if this strategy prevents total gridlock or leads to further instability within the fragile minority government structure. ## Sources covering this story - https://nos.nl/l/2638026 — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._